Strangers Cay
Strangers Cay, also known as Jwycesska Island, is the second northernmost named island in the Bahamas, being the northernmost next to Walker's Cay. It lies northwest of Abaco Island. It has a length of 0.5 miles (0.80 km) from west to east, and a width of 2 miles (3 km) northwest to southeast. The total land area is 351 acres (1.42 km2). The island has an elevation of up to 50 feet (15 m). A pond is located in the southern portion. The island is owned by British entrepreneur John Sykes.
Strangers Cay is located 161 miles (259 km) northeast of Miami, Florida, 124 miles (200 km) northeast of Palm Beach, Florida, and 150 miles (240 km) northeast of Nassau, Bahamas.
Strangers Cay is uninhabited and is approximately 351 acres (142 ha) in area and about two miles (3.2 km) long and nearly one-half mile (0.8 km) wide at its widest point. There is a natural harbour on the west side of the island. Most of the island is wild and covered with a thick cover of lush vegetation. The island's elevation is 50 feet (15 metres) above sea level at its highest point, with several acres above 50 feet (15 metres). It is quite hilly and is covered with a lush green cover of trees and shrubs. Some pathways have been cut to allow passage through the dense vegetation along which there is a tree canopy 20 to 30 feet (6.1 to 9.1 metres) above.
With development Strangers Cay can have a completely landlocked boat harbour of more than 30 acres (12 ha). A study of the island shows it can accommodate an air strip of at least 5,000 feet (1,500 m). Strangers Cay is particularly well situated for boating traffic since it is located just halfway between West End on Grand Bahama and Treasure Cay on Abaco Island. It would make an attractive stopping point since many people do not care to travel at night or to go more than 50 miles (80 km) in a day.
Sport fishing of all types is known to be superb in the area of Strangers Cay. Walker's Cay, just 17 miles (27 km) to the northeast, is a world-class fishing resort where many world record fish have been taken.
As in the most of the Bahamas, the water around Strangers Cay is gin clear, and there are many interesting dive sites nearby for both snorkelers and scuba divers. The island is well positioned with the cobalt blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean on the eastern (windward) side and the turquoise shallow waters of the Grand Bahamas Bank on the western (leeward) side.
The southern end is relatively flat and has a large (about 35 acres) fresh to brackish water marsh. There is a thin freshwater lens and shallow freshwater well. The northern end of the island has a long, nearly level narrow ridge. This ridge runs in a northwest to southwest axis and is approximately 5,000 feet (1,500 m) in length. This is an ideal location for an airstrip. Also at this end of the island, the deeper water comes in fairly close to the shoreline making it a logical location for a protected marina.
The large bay off the southwest portion of the island is shallow and not suitable as a boat anchorage.